Three years ago, Paul Scholes made clear what he felt Manchester United needed to do in order to strengthen and close the gap on fierce rivals like Liverpool and Manchester City.
Three managers later, it looks like he's finally getting his wish as Erik ten Hag looks to take the Red Devils to the next level over the course of this summer's transfer window. Scholes laid bare United's problems back in June 2020 but insisted that they were only two quality additions away from Liverpool, who at the time had just been crowned Premier League champions.
That same season ended with United a whopping 33 points behind their arch-enemies, who had ended their 30-year wait for a league title. With that being said, there were shoots of optimism from an Old Trafford perspective.
Bruno Fernandes had arrived six months prior and settled in with ease, which prompted Scholes to claim that United could close the gap on the league's big hitters and launch a title challenge of their own soon enough.
"There is a big gap to close, there’s no doubt about that," Scholes told BBC Radio 5Live. "The points difference is ridiculous and the quality of Man City obviously is there for everyone to see.
"I really don’t think they are a million miles away. I know we spoke about four or five players but I think it’s two or three now. I think you are looking at a centre-forward, a really classy goal scorer and possibly a centre-half to play next to [Harry] Maguire.
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"Look, I think [Victor] Lindelof has done alright but I just think Maguire with his lack of pace at times (can get caught). If he’s got a really dominant centre-half next to him like a Rio Ferdinand or Jaap Stam who bullies centre-forwards I think that would be a big help to the team."
Fast forward to the present day and Ten Hag has helped grant one of Scholes' wishes in the form of another defender. The Dutchman brought Lisandro Martinez to the club within months of his own arrival.
The Argentine has raised the technical ceiling at Old Trafford and helped transform the way United build attacks with his on-the-ball quality. Martinez was one of the Red Devils' standout performers over the course of his debut campaign.
Next up on Scholes' wish list was a striker to elevate United's attack. While one hasn't been signed just yet, Ten Hag is on the same page as the club legend and pushing hard to sign a goal-scorer, specifically, Tottenham talisman Harry Kane.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is demanding £100m to let his club's prized asset leave, but United have baulked at that asking price.
With plenty of the summer window still to go, there could be plenty more twists and turns in United's pursuit of a new striker.
